Easter, the public holiday commemorating Jesus' death and subsequent resurrection, is arguably the most important date on the religious calendar.
What begins with Ash Wednesday ends with Holy Saturday. In between is Lent, the 40-day fasting period Christians and Catholics mean to symbolize the time Jesus spent in the wilderness avoiding Satan's indulgences and preparing for the ministry.
Tradition is not lost on other religions. Passover, a festival once acknowledged by the early Christian Church, now solely belong to the Jewish people. The eight-day celebration honors the emancipation of Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
Long before the egg scavenger hunts, Christians humbly celebrated Easter by eating blessed lamb. Now, the six-week-long remembrance includes gifts, egg-coloring activities, and a visit from a human-sized bunny.
The Bible, however, remains Easter's enduring symbol.
The word "Easter" only appears once in the King James Version of the Bible, in the verse Acts 12:4. That doesn't mean the holiday's meaning is lost in any over 50-plus versions available.
Here's a look at some of the most memorable Bible verses about Easter. All quotes referenced are in the King James Version.
"And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people."
"Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Crist, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,"
"Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise form the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."
"Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we are all witnesses."
"Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have."
"So also [is] the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body."
"As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on earth."
"If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in his sins."
"Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils."
"[Is] not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
[Is it] not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward."
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
